Cyclists are a varied bunch, some want to climb the peaks of the Alps in Tour de France style while others are happy to don a tweed hat and sip a gin and tonic as they ride the streets of London. Wherever you fit on this two-wheeled spectrum, be assured there is something out there for you in the cycling calendar.

This popular ride happens in October and starts and finishes in the small town of Gaoile in Chianti. Its focus is on "no frills" rally cycling, with an emphasis on the history of the cycling rally and classic bikes. Riders can choose one of four routes ranging from a monster 205km to a more manageable 38km. Marking it out from the usual rides are the famous "strade bianche" or white roads, which are a challenging gravel covered riding surface and make up a large proportion of every course.

Taking place in over 50 cities around the world during one week in June, the challenge on this ride seems to be how to comfortably finish a course as naked as the day you were born - helmet excluded. Hailed as "the world's biggest naked protest" the emphasis here is on highlighting the environmental consequences of oil dependency. Body painting and bike decoration are encouraged and there is no limit to entry. (hat tip to @bex_walton on Twitter)

One of the most difficult events for amateur road cyclists in Europe, the 174km Marmotte takes place in the Alps in July, which makes for beautiful scenery. Participants may be hard pressed to enjoy it though, with more than 5,180m of arduous climbing. Beginning in Le Bourg d'Oisans and going north, the ride features a hefty climb at the end to the top of Alpe d'Huez, famously part of the Tour de France route. Although anyone can enter, this event is certainly not for the faint hearted.

Not to be outdone by Europe, this ride is the equivalent of an all-American super size burger, with relish. Starting in New York's Lower Manhattan it runs through five boroughs of the city. The 67km mostly flat ride includes Central Park, Harlem, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge which participants ride to get to the finishing point of Staten Island, where a bike festival is held. The organisers also set up entertainment along the course including a bike stunt show and music at the rest spots. Not surprisingly, entry is limited and places fill up fast.

Taking place in the East Midlands, this cyclo-sportif encompasses part of the track of the challenging CiCLE classic race, and takes a varied often off-road route in the small village of Rutland, which has heaps of countryside to marvel at. A great chance to do a challenging, European style course, without leaving the UK.

Now in its 11th year, this 200km July moonlight ride runs from London Fields Park in Hackney to Dunwich on the Suffolk coast. Initially a limited pay to ride event, the affectionately named "Dun Run" is now a free for all, with over 1,000 attendees last year. The course is mostly smooth tarmac, meaning all shapes and sizes of bikes are to be seen riding in the moonlight including, somewhat unbelievably, a penny farthing. [Listen to an audio diary of last year's event]

Held in late March or early April this eight-day, 800km ride through the Western Cape takes in some of South Africa's most dramatic scenery. The teams of two mountain-bikers, both amateur and professional, may not have much time and energy for enjoying the view though. The route involves approximately 16,000 metres of climbing and takes a different route each year.

A weekend of bicycle themed entertainment in Oxford during May with highlights including a Bicycle Bell Orchestra and a Bike Polo tournament. This year the organisers are also inviting people to submit short films about cycling. The festival closes with a bike race. (hat tip to @greenhaze on Twitter)

One of the longest running international rides, Critical Mass attracts thousands of riders at hundreds of cities across the globe on the last Friday of every month. It has its origins in San Francisco in 1992, where it began with the unpromising name "Commute Clot". Some have likened it to a cultural movement, others feel it makes a political statement, but it seems that the main purpose is just to get a large group of people together – to ride their bikes. There is no leadership, membership or organisation, which is part of its appeal.